A federal judge has denied former City-County Councilor Lincoln Plowman’s request to overturn his bribery and attempted extortion convictions.

U.S. District Judge Larry McKinney said in a one-paragraph order dated Monday that the court “concludes that there is sufficient evidence to sustain defendant’s convictions on both counts.”

A jury found Plowman guilty of both charges on Sept. 15.

His lawyer, James Voyles Jr., filed a motion Sept. 20 asking McKinney to review the evidence and acquit Plowman. He is set to be sentenced Dec. 1.

Plowman faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the attempted extortion conviction, and 10 years and a $250,000 fine for the bribery conviction.

Plowman, also a former Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department major, was accused of using his official position to collect $6,000 for helping a new strip club gain zoning approval.

A grand jury indicted Plowman in September 2010. From August to December of 2009, the indictment said, Plowman solicited an undercover FBI agent to pay him $5,000 in cash and make a $1,000 campaign contribution in exchange for Plowman’s help with strip club zoning.